NATO agrees to stop bombing homes in Afghanistan

In a similar strike, smoke billows from the top of a hill after US army soldiers from Bravo company 2nd Batallion 27th Infantry Regiment fired 120 mm mortar rounds towards insurgent positions at Outpost Monti in Kunar province, on September 25, 2011.

Credit:

TAUSEEF MUSTAFA

NATO has reached an agreement with Afghan authorities that will end its assaults on residential buildings in Afghanistan, reported the Los Angeles Times.

President Hamid Karzai met with American commander General John Allen about the issue on Saturday night, said the LA Times, after which Karzai said he had secured a "commitment" that the US would change course, according to The Guardian.

While the new deal with help prevent similar incidents, NATO soldiers will continue monitoring militants who try to hide in residential areas, said NATO International Security Assistance Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jimmie Cummings.

"[W]hen there is concern over the presence of civilians, air delivered bombs will not be employed while other means are available," Cummings said, according to the LA Times.

Also Saturday, Karzai spokesman Aimal Faiz said that the US strike in Logar province on Wednesday was "a one-sided decision, and not co-ordinated with Afghan security forces," reported The Guardian.

Pakistan News Service said Logar province residents brought out the bodies of those killed in the attack, revealing that nine were children, one an infant, five were women, and three were elderly.

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